Convertible sandal

ABSTRACT

A convertible sandal comprises first and second connectors provided in or on a vamp of the sandal along respective medial and lateral sides of the vamp adjacent a rear margin of the vamp. The sandal may further include first and second holders located along the respective medial and lateral sides of the vamp. A removable strap may be selectively connected in a first position, in which end sections thereof are detachably connected to the connectors and the strap extends around a heel of the wearer&#39;s foot, or in a second position, in which the end sections are detached from the connectors and connected to the holders so that the strap extends over the wearer&#39;s forefoot.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to footwear and, in particular, to sandals thatare convertible between a slide configuration and a heel-strapconfiguration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,336,683 of Schellkopf, 4,461,102 of DeVincentis,4,584,782 of Thatcher, and 5,992,058 of Jneid disclose various shoeshaving uppers that are convertible between a heel-strap configuration,in which a heel strap wraps around the wearer's heel to secure the shoein place, and a slide configuration, in which the heel strap is movedclear of the heel for easier donning and removal of the shoe. In some ofthese shoes, the heel straps are disconnected from the shoes whenconverting to the slide configuration and must thereafter be storedseparately or carried by the wearer (e.g., in the wearer's pocket),subjecting the heel straps to being misplaced or lost. In others, theheel straps are folded forwardly for converting the shoes to the slideconfiguration, but remain attached to the shoes so that a portion of thestraps may awkwardly dangle or press against the user's leg or forefoot.Whether a forwardly-folded heel strap dangles or presses against thefoot may depend on the length of the heel strap, the point at which itconnects to the shoe, and the shape of the wearer's foot.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,249 of Aguerre discloses a sandal having a vamp andan elastic heel strap rotatably connected to the vamp via a pair ofpivot mechanisms so that the heel strap can be pivoted between a loweredposition about the heel of the wearer's foot and a raised position overthe arch of the foot and the vamp. The pivot mechanisms increase thecomplexity of the sandal construction and are subject to mechanicalfailure.

The present inventor has recognized a need for an improved sandal thatis convertible between a heel-strap configuration and a slideconfiguration and for methods of converting a sandal between suchconfigurations.

SUMMARY

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a convertible sandalcomprises a sole for supporting a wearer's foot and a vamp attached tothe sole for extending over a forefoot portion of the wearer's foot. Thevamp includes first and second connectors located along respectivemedial and lateral sides of the vamp adjacent a rear margin of the vamp,and may further include first and second holders located along therespective medial and lateral sides of the vamp. A removable strap maybe selectively connected in a first position, in which end sectionsthereof are detachably connected to the connectors and the strap extendsaround a heel of the wearer's foot, or in a second position, in whichthe end sections are detached from the connectors and connected to theholders so that the strap extends over the wearer's forefoot.

The connectors may comprise elongated eyelets formed in the sides of thevamp and through which the end sections of the strap are threaded whenthe strap is in the first position. The strap preferably includescomplementary sections of hook-and-loop fastener material arranged forengagement when the end sections are folded back upon the strap afterthreading through the eyelets, to thereby detachably secure the strap tothe vamp. The holders preferably comprise loops or segments of fabricsewn to the vamp to form keeper loops along the sides of the vamp thatare sized to receive the end sections of the strap therethrough. Thevamp may be split longitudinally to facilitate adjustment of the vamp tofit the wearer's foot. When in the second position, the strap may betightened over an opening in the vamp to help secure the convertiblesandal to the wearer's foot.

Additional aspects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdetailed description of preferred embodiments, which proceeds withreference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a lateral side perspective view of a sandal in accordance witha preferred embodiment, shown in a heel-strap configuration; and

FIG. 2 is a lateral side perspective view of the sandal of FIG. 1, shownin a slide configuration.

In FIG. 2, the phantom lines extending away from the lateral side of thesandal represent an alternative configuration of the strap in which thestrap may be used to secure the sandal to another object. All otherbroken lines in FIGS. 1-2 represent stitching.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a lateral side perspective view of a sandal 10 in accordancewith a preferred embodiment, including a strap 14 shown configured in afirst position, in which strap 14 is positioned to fit around a heel ofa wearer's foot (foot not illustrated). With reference to FIG. 1, sandal10 includes a sole 20 for supporting the foot and a vamp 30 forextending over a forefoot portion of the wearer's foot. Vamp 30 extendsbetween a medial margin 34 of sole 20 and a lateral margin 36 of sole 20to fit over the forefoot and keep sandal 10 on the wearer's foot.

Sole 20 may be made by any of a variety of known methods and materials,such as injection molded resins, sewn leather or synthetic materials,and thermoforming, for example. Vamp 30 is preferably splitlongitudinally so that it comprises medial and lateral side sections 44and 46 attached to sole 20 along the respective medial and lateralmargins 34 and 36. Medial and lateral side sections 44 and 46 cometogether at a split 48 along the top of the wearer's foot where they arejoined together by one or more cinch straps 50. Split 48 may comprise anabutting or overlapping region of or a gap between medial and lateralside sections 44 and 46. In some embodiments laces may be used in placeof or in addition to cinch straps 50. In still other embodiments, otherdevices of joining medial and lateral side sections 44 and 46 may beemployed. For example, a section of elastic material may be permanentlyor removably attached to medial and lateral side sections 44 and 46 tospan a gap therebetween. In yet other embodiments, vamp 30 is not splitlongitudinally.

Vamp 30 is preferably split along its entire length, as shown in FIG. 1.However, in alternative embodiments, vamp 30 is split along only aportion of the length of vamp 30. The resulting split 48 (or partialsplit) between the medial and lateral side sections 44 and 46 of vamp 30allow vamp 30 to be adjusted to fit the wearer's foot via adjustment ofcinch straps 50 or laces. Split 48 preferably includes a longitudinalcomponent, but may run at a significant angle to the longitudinal axisof the sandal 10. Thus, the phrase “split longitudinally,” as usedherein, is meant to encompass both a “full” split 48 running the entirelength of vamp 30 and a partial split (not shown) extendinglongitudinally along only a portion of vamp 30, and is also meant toencompass splits running at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis ofsandal 10.

Vamp 30 includes a foot opening 52 sized so that when strap 14 isremoved from the heel region, as shown in FIG. 2, sandal 10 functions asa slide, allowing the wearer to don and remove sandal 10 without usinghis or her hands. Vamp 30 need not cover the entire forefoot, and mayinclude one or more windows 56 or other openings or holes, to promotebreathability and reduce the overall weight of sandal 10, among otherpossible benefits. In some embodiments (not shown), vamp 30 may extendto the rear end of sole 20 to cup the wearer's heel along the edge ofthe heel pad. In one embodiment, vamp 30 extends forwardly to the toeend of the sole 20. Thus, the term “vamp,” as used herein, is intendedto be construed broadly, to include a wide range of devices of variousshapes, sizes, and compositions, which extend between the medial andlateral margins 34 and 36 of sole 20 and over the wearer's forefoot forkeeping sandal 10 on the wearer's foot. Vamp 30 and sole 20 may beconstructed and attached together using any of a variety of conventionalmethods well known to persons skilled in the art.

Vamp 30 includes first and second connectors 62 and 64 located alongrespective medial and lateral sides of vamp 30 and generally adjacent arear margin 68 of vamp 30. Connectors 62 and 64 preferably compriseelongated eyelets formed in respective medial and lateral side sections44 and 46 of vamp 30 and sized to fit first and second end sections 72and 74 of strap 30 therethrough, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Complementarysections of hook-and-loop fastener material 80 (FIG. 2) of the type soldunder the trademark VELCRO®, for example, are arranged on strap 14 sothat one or both of end sections 72 and 74 are held in place when foldedback upon strap to thereby detachably connect strap 14 to connectors 62and 64. The eyelets of connectors 62 and 64 may be lined with grommetsor plastic inserts sewn to vamp 30 to reinforce the slots and reducefriction and wear of strap 14. In other embodiments (not shown),connectors 62 and 64 may comprise any of a variety of other devicesformed or attached in, on, or to vamp 30, and which cooperate with strap14 for holding strap 14 in place. Such connection devices may tend toalign strap 14 in the heel-strap configuration as in the embodiment ofFIG. 1, to prevent strap from flapping along or sliding down thewearer's heel when strap 14 is in the first position. Exemplaryconnecting devices include plastic or metal buckles, snaps, hooks,and/or small eyelets for receiving laces or hooks attached to strap 14,for example. Thus, connectors 62 and 64 preferably facilitate a simple,strong, durable, and convenient detachable connection between strap 14and vamp 30. Connectors 62 and 64 are also preferably made such thatwhen strap 14 is detached, the connectors 62 and 64 do not flapoutwardly from vamp 30, make noise, or snag other objects to anysignificant degree.

FIG. 2 is a lateral side perspective view of the sandal 10 of FIG. 1,shown configured in a second position wherein strap 14 is disconnectedfrom connectors 62 and 64 and moved clear of the wearer's heel (heel notillustrated) so that sandal 10 functions as a slide. With reference toFIG. 2, when in the second position, strap 14 may be detachablyconnected to first and second holders 86 located along the respectivemedial and sides of vamp 30 (the first holder is hidden in the figures,but is substantially similar to second holder 86). When connected toholders 86, strap 14 extends over the forefoot of the wearer's foot forconvenient storage and where strap 14 may be tightened to provide addedsecurity. In a preferred embodiment, strap 14 may be contoured to fitbest in the second position, when strap 14 is reversed left-to-rightrelative to the first position, i.e., with first end section 72connected to second holder 86 along lateral side section 46 of vamp 30and second end section 74 connected to the first holder along the medialside section 44 of vamp 30. If a central window 90 (FIG. 2) is providedin vamp 30 between first and second holders 86, strap 14 may be cincheddown across central window 90 and against a top portion of the wearer'sfoot to improve the fit of sandal 10.

Holders 86 preferably comprise segments or loops of fabric, sewn to vamp30 to form keeper loops along the medial and lateral sides of vamp 30.Keeper loops are preferably located along outer side surfaces of vamp 30(as illustrated), but may alternatively be located along inner sidesurfaces of vamp 30 (not shown). In other embodiments (not shown),holders 86 may comprise any of a variety of other devices formed orattached in, on, or to vamp 30, and which cooperate with strap 14 forholding strap 14 in place. Such holder devices may tend to align strap14 relative to vamp 30, to prevent strap 14 from sliding or flappingwhen in the second position. Exemplary holder devices include plastic ormetal buckles, snaps, hooks, and/or small eyelets for receiving laces orhooks attached to strap 14, for example.

Holders 86 may also serve as lash points for connecting a pair ofsandals 10 together using a strap 14, as partially illustrated inphantom lines in FIG. 2 (second sandal not shown), to prevent the pairof sandals from becoming separated when not in use. When strap 14 isused to connect together a pair of sandals 10 it may also serve as aconvenient carrying strap. In addition, to prevent loss of sandals 10when not being worn, strap 14 may be used to removably secure sandal 10to another article, such as a carabiner, a backpack, or a lifeline of aboat. When securing sandal 10 to another article, one of the endsections 72, 74 of strap 14 may be connected to one of the connectors62, 64 or holders 86, and the other of the end sections 72, 74 may beconnected to the other object. The hook-and-loop fastener material 80 ofstrap 14 may provide a convenient means of removably attaching an end ofstrap 14 to a lifeline of a boat, for example.

It will be obvious to those having skill in the art that many changesmay be made to the details of the above-described embodiments withoutdeparting from the underlying principles of the invention. The scope ofthe present invention should, therefore, be determined only by thefollowing claims.

1. A convertible sandal, comprising: (a) a sole for supporting awearer's foot; (b) a vamp attached to the sole for extending over aforefoot of the wearer's foot between medial and lateral margins of thesole, the vamp including: (i) medial and lateral sides proximal of themedial and lateral margins of the sole, respectively, (ii) first andsecond connectors located along the respective medial and lateral sidesadjacent a rear margin of the vamp, and (iii) first and second holderslocated along the respective medial and lateral sides of the vamp; and(c) a strap including opposing first and second end sections, the strapbeing movable between a first position, in which the first and secondend sections are detachably connected to the first and secondconnectors, respectively, for extending around a heel of the wearer'sfoot, and a second position, in which the first and second end sectionsare detached from the first and second connectors and detachablyconnected to the first and second holders for extending over theforefoot.
 2. The convertible sandal of claim 1, wherein at least one ofthe connectors comprises an eyelet.
 3. The convertible sandal of claim2, wherein the eyelet is elongated to fit one of the first and secondend sections of the strap therethrough.
 4. The convertible sandal ofclaim 2, further comprising complementary sections of hook-and-loopfastener material arranged on the strap for engagement when at least oneof the end sections is threaded through the eyelet and folded back uponthe strap, thereby detachably connecting the strap to the vamp.
 5. Theconvertible sandal of claim 1, wherein: the connectors compriseelongated eyelets sized for threading the first and second end sectionstherethrough; and the strap includes complementary sections ofhook-and-loop fastener material arranged so that the first and secondend sections may be threaded through the eyelets of the respective firstand second connectors and folded back upon themselves, where they arereleasably held in place to detachably secure the strap to the vamp inthe first position.
 6. The convertible sandal of claim 5, wherein atleast one of the holders includes a keeper loop sized to receive one ofthe first and second end sections of the strap therethrough.
 7. Theconvertible sandal of claim 1, wherein at least one of the holdersincludes a keeper loop.
 8. The convertible sandal of claim 1, whereinthe keeper loop is sewn to the vamp.
 9. The convertible sandal of claim1, wherein the vamp is split longitudinally to facilitate adjustment ofthe vamp to fit the wearer's foot.
 10. The convertible sandal of claim9, further comprising one or more cinch straps or laces, or both,extending between the medial and lateral sides of the vamp fortightening the vamp to fit the wearer's foot.
 11. A convertible sandal,comprising: a sole for supporting a wearer's foot; a detachable strapincluding opposing first and second end sections; and a vamp attached tothe sole for extending over a forefoot of the wearer's foot betweenmedial and lateral margins of the sole, the vamp including first andsecond connector means located along respective medial and lateral sidesof the vamp adjacent a rear margin of the vamp for detachably connectingthe respective first and second end sections of the strap thereto in afirst position in which the strap extends around a heel of the wearer'sfoot, and the vamp further including first and second holder meansdifferent from the first and second connector means and located alongthe respective medial and lateral sides of the vamp for detachablyholding the first and second end sections of the strap thereto in asecond position in which the strap extends over the forefoot.
 12. Theconvertible sandal of claim 11, wherein at least one of the connectormeans comprises an eyelet sized to fit one of the first and second endsections of the strap therethrough.
 13. The convertible sandal of claim12, further comprising complementary sections of hook-and-loop fastenermaterial arranged on the strap so that at least one of the end sectionsmay be folded back upon the strap, after threading through the eyelet,where said at least one end section is releasably held in place fordetachably connecting the strap to the vamp.
 14. The convertible sandalof claim 11, wherein at least one of the holder means includes a keeperloop sized to receive one of the first and second end sections of thestrap therethrough.
 15. The convertible sandal of claim 14, wherein thekeeper loop is sewn to the vamp.
 16. The convertible sandal of claim 11,further comprising means for adjusting the vamp to fit the wearer'sfoot.
 17. In a sandal having a sole for supporting a wearer's foot, avamp attached to the sole and extending over a forefoot portion of thewearer's foot between medial and lateral margins of the sole, and astrap including opposing first and second end sections, an improvedmethod of reconfiguring the sandal between a heel-strap configuration,in which the strap extends around a heel of the wearer's foot, and aslide configuration, in which the strap is moved clear of the heel,comprising: providing first and second connectors in or on the vamp atrespective medial and lateral sides of the vamp adjacent a rear marginof the vamp; providing first and second holders along the respectivemedial and lateral sides of the vamp; detachably connecting the firstand second end sections to the first and second connectors,respectively, thereby configuring the sandal in the heel-strapconfiguration; detaching the first and second end sections from thefirst and second connectors; and detachably connecting the first andsecond end sections to the first and second holders, so that the strapextends over the forefoot, thereby configuring the sandal in the slideconfiguration.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein: the connectorsinclude elongated eyelets sized for threading the first and second endsections of the strap therethrough; and detachably connecting the firstand second end sections to the first and second connectors includesthreading the first and second end sections through the eyelets andfolding back the first and second end sections over the strap fordetachably securing the strap to the vamp in the heel-strapconfiguration.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein: at least one of theholders includes a keeper loop sized to receive one of the first andsecond end sections of the strap therethrough; and the connecting of thefirst and second end sections to the first and second holders includesthreading at least one of the end sections through the keeper loop. 20.The method of claim 17, further comprising adjusting the vamp to fit thewearer's foot.
 21. A convertible sandal, comprising: (a) a sole forsupporting a wearer's foot; (b) a vamp attached to the sole forextending over a forefoot of the wearer's foot between medial andlateral margins of the sole, the vamp including: (i) medial and lateralsides proximal of the medial and lateral margins of the sole,respectively, and (ii) first and second connectors located along therespective medial and lateral sides adjacent a rear margin of the vamp;and (c) a heel strap including opposing first and second end sectionsthreaded through the first and second connectors, respectively, the heelstrap including complementary sections of hook-and-loop fastenermaterial arranged thereon for engagement when at least one of the endsections is folded back upon the strap, to thereby detachably connectthe strap to the vamp.
 22. The convertible sandal of claim 21, whereinthe vamp is split longitudinally to facilitate adjustment of the vamp tofit the wearer's foot.
 23. The convertible sandal of claim 22, furthercomprising one or more cinch straps or laces, or both, extending betweenthe medial and lateral sides of the vamp for tightening the vamp to fitthe wearer's foot.
 24. The convertible sandal of claim 21, wherein thevamp further includes first and second holders different from the firstand second connectors, the first and second holders located along themedial and lateral sides of the vamp, respectively, for detachablysecuring the heel strap over the forefoot.